12/9/2023

Dear Rippowam families,

Happy Hanukkah for those that celebrate!  May this year’s festival of lights bring your family love, prosperity and joy!

This week we begin Rippowam’s holiday celebration with our annual Holiday Bazaar on Wednesday, December 13th.  Our PTO and 8th grade team of teachers turn the main cafeteria into a marketplace with new and gently used toys, games, household items, jewelry and other items sold at bargain prices.  Students can purchase items for the holidays and have them gift wrapped.  All students will have a scheduled time to come through the bazaar and it is cash only.

This week is also Parent/Teacher conferences.  Spots are filling up quickly so make sure you contact the main office with the information listed below:

Parent Teacher Conferences
Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences on December 13th, 14th and 15th.  Conference times are filling up quickly!  These are half days for students with conferences in the afternoon.  Students leave at 11:45, conferences begin at 12:30 until 2:20 (3:20 on Wednesday).  You have the choice of 10 minute in-person or virtual meetings.   You will have the opportunity to meet with your child's entire Core team of teachers at once (English, Science, Math, Social Students, and Technology Lab or Literacy Lab).  You can also sign up for individual conferences with specials and other support classes (for example, math support, gym, ESL, Spanish, Art or Music).  You can schedule 10 minute conferences by calling the main office at 203-977-5255 and Carla, Kathy or Claudia will support in signing you up for your desired conferences.  Claudia can support our Spanish speaking families at 203-977-4229. Please do not reply to this email.  Support staff also may reach out to schedule conferences with the parents of students that we see are in need of academic, behavioral or attendance support.

 When you contact the office, please provide the following information:

• Date of desired conference

• Teachers you wish to meet with

• Your preference of in-person or virtual

• Preferred times and contact information

Rippowam supports Toys for Tots
Rippowam is a local drop site for Toys for Tots.  Our very own 8th grader Brooke Healy serves as Connecticut’s first Toys for Tots Youth Ambassador and is now a mentor for other involved youth.  Bring an unwrapped toy and donate it in the main office. 

Last weekend to see Stamford’s All-School Musical Legally Blonde
The Stamford All-School Musical - Legally Blonde - opens this weekend featuring students from  AITE, Cloonan, Dolan, Rippowam, Stamford High, Turn of River, and Westhill.  Come cheer on our very own 8th grade student, Arnecia Flynn, representing Rippowam in this hilariously outrageous musical. Additionally, our 8th grader Leo Ross is representing the tech crew! Please note: this year's show is rated PG-13 due to some mature language; it is up to parents to decide if the show is appropriate for their child(ren). Performances take place at Westhill High School on December 8 and 9 at 7:30 pm and December 10 at 3 pm. To order tickets online, visit www.stamfordallschoolmusical.org. 

Coat/Clothing Drive Thursday 12/14
Many of our students are in need of winter coats, winter accessories and winter clothing more than ever given. We also have many families that are new to Stamford and the United States due to unsafe conditions in their homelands and are in need of clothing to survive the winter.  If you would like to donate a brand new or gently used/clean coat or clothing, we would greatly appreciate it.  Bring items to the front entrance on Thursday, 12/14 from 8:30-10:30 where some of our support staff and students will be stationed.

Rippowam demonstrates its Community spirit
Ms. Carter’s advisory is hosting a Veteran’s Care Package Drive until 12/15.  Each grade level has items assigned to them to help create holiday care packages for our veterans:

• 6th grade:  Magazines/puzzles/stationary/games/cards

• 7th grade:  Non-perishable food items and snacks

• 8th grade:  Necessities - soap, deodorant, socks, toothbrush/toothpaste

Best,

Kristina Colmenares
Principal, Rippowam Middle School

If you didn’t see the Superintendent’s weekly message, please click HERE.